Internships

Employers agree that the strongest candidates have both solid academic preparation and practical, on-the-job experience gleaned from internships.
US Capitol building

Political Science students have many paths for securing internships and receiving academic credit.

Whether arranging your own placement or participating in an organized program, you'll gain valuable professional skills, expand your network, and explore potential career paths. 

Any Semester

Students can earn credit while interning part-or full-time during the fall, spring, or summer semester.

Any Location

 Students majoring or minoring in political science have gained valuable experience interning in settings around the country. Many of these students received Job-Ready Awards that provided funding for living expenses.

No Course Prerequisites

You need only be a Political Science student in good standing.  

Washington, D.C. Internships

US Capitol Building

Boilers Go To D.C. Summer Scholars

Earn academic credit for your internship in government, non-profit, or private sector.
Logo for DC Fellowship

Political Science D.C. Fellowship Support

Provide students with a stipend for living expenses and housing through the Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars Internship Program
Students in Washington DC

C-SPAN Washington D.C. Internship

Yang Yaoyu C-SPAN Intern Scholarship
Matt's guide to internships

Matt's Compendium of Internships

Washington, D.C. and beyond
Indiana State House

Indiana State Legislative Spring Internship Program

Each spring semester, the Indiana General Assembly awards 50–60 internships. These internships are competitively awarded and distributed among colleges and universities throughout Indiana. Generally, about 12 Purdue students are selected.

To be eligible, you must be at least a junior and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Approval for legislative internship credit is contingent upon the student securing a position in the Indiana General Assembly’s Intern Program, which is run by the party caucuses in the House and Senate.

 

Purdue student interns explore career paths, network with professionals, apply classroom learning, expand their skills, and gain coveted real-life work experience. Follow the steps below to earn academic credit during your internship.

Ensure you are eligible and ask about available opportunities. Be sure you understand how internship credit will count toward your degree requirements.

Your advisors can help you navigate courses, study abroad and internship opportunities, as well as upcoming events.

Make an Appointment with Your Advisor

CLA Career Services

CLA Career Services helps students build confidence, develop a professional toolkit, and shape a career path that excites them.

Purdue Center for Career Opportunities

The Center for Career Opportunities informs and empowers students through transformative career services, including career coaching, embracing differences, and connecting students with professional opportunities in Indiana, across the United States, and around the world.

CLA Job-Ready Initiative

Students whose internships are unpaid or low-paid can apply for financial support to help cover basic costs associated with their internship experience.

Identify Potential Internship Providers

Identify potential internship providers and learn about them to develop ideas for your internship. Your work may focus on a particular project, or you may complete a variety of tasks. The only absolute requirement is that your internship must contain an academic component.

You will arrange your exact duties with your internship provider. Keep in mind that you are there to gain education through your field experience; you are not free labor for the organization.

Although the exact number of hours and schedule will be arranged between you and your internship provider, you should expect to work 4–8 hours per week.

Indiana Legislative Internship Opportunities

Consult the party websites for additional information, application deadlines, and instructions on how to apply.

Additional opportunities: Internships may also be available with current members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Registering for Internship Credit

Approval is required before your internship begins. To register for internship credit, students must receive approval from the Department in advance.

Step 1: Complete the Internship Application

Complete the Political Science Department's Internship Application:

Internship Application

Step 2: Have Your Internship Provider Complete the Contract

Your internship provider must complete an Internship Contract outlining your duties and responsibilities. It is your responsibility to share the contract link with your internship provider and ensure that they complete the form.

Internship Contract

No course credit will be awarded for internships without prior approval of the employer contract.

Registering for degree credit for Indiana State Legislature internship

All Indiana State Legislature interns are expected to register for POL 40302ISL for 3 credits (regular grade) and also the on-site Sub-National Government course taught in Indianapolis by a rotating group of universities (POL59000ISL, 3 credits, regular grade). 

Students who would like to earn Capstone credit should also enroll in POL49500ISL for 3 credits (regular grade). 

Students also have the option of adding POL 40300ISL for up to 6 credits (pass/no pass) to allow for full-time enrollment, if needed.

Registering for degree credit for all other internships

Students have several options to suit their needs:

POL 40302 - Self-Initiated Internship (3 cr)  Students who enroll in 40302 will submit regular journal entries and a 1,500-2,000-word statement at the end of their internship describing what they learned. 

Or, students who want to earn Capstone credit can enroll in 

POL 40302CA - Self-Initiated Internship Capstone (3 cr) Students who enroll in 40302CA will complete a Capstone project at the end of their internship.

And, students with a full-time internship can also enroll in

POL 40300- Field Experiences in Political Science (1-9 cr) Taken concurrently with 40302 or 40302CA to allow students additional credit using the pass/no pass option.
Photo of a group of Pi Sigma Alpha students

Purdue Political Science Students Have Interned at Locations Around the Country

 


Campaign for Hoosier Families, Lafayette, IN
Church World Service’s Advocacy and Policy Group, Washington, D.C.
Cook County State’s Attorney, Chicago, IL
C-SPAN, Washington, D.C.
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Guggenheim Museum, New York City
Indianapolis Children’s Museum
Indiana General Assembly
Indiana State Department of Health
Indianapolis Office of the Mayor
Illinois State Board of Education
Kheprw Institute, Indianapolis, IN
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL
National Public Radio, Washington, D.C.
Parkview Health Systems, Fort Wayne, IN
Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Washington, D.C.
Republic of the Marshall Islands Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York City
U.S. Congressman Susan Brooks of Indiana
U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton of Arizona
U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski of Indiana
U.S. Congressman Peter Visclosky of Indiana
U.S. Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D.C.
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, D.C.
USS Monitor Center at the Mariners’ Museum and Park, Virginia
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois
U.S. Senator Todd Young of Indiana
WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN